Deck Maintenance Program to Maintain the Integrity of Your Schafer Construction-Built Deck in the Oakland Hills
“Decks for Life” is a unique deck maintenance Oakland and the East Bay program developed by Schafer Construction to minimize future repair costs and/or deck replacement. This exclusive service provides ongoing periodic inspections for our clients’ new decks. This service is also available for our Bridge Driveway projects.
This invaluable inspection service increases the longevity of your deck or bridge driveway. One could compare this service to going to the doctor or the dentist for a check-up. Our licensed professional inspects one of the most valuable components of your home: your deck and/or bridge driveway.
The following are just a few examples of conditions we check with our deck inspection checklist:
DECKS:
- How your deck is weathering. Decks will naturally weather over time, but how they weather can be a concern.
- Debris collecting between the decking boards. Over time, debris can collect between the decking boards and break down to form sponges. This sponge can absorb the moisture from fog and/or rain and become a source of decay. Contrary to myth, maintenance-free decking is not immune to this problem. Composite decking materials can also be affected by excessive moisture conditions.
- What is the condition of the deck due to its local environment? Is your deck in a relatively dry environment? Is your deck exposed to the sun or mostly shade? If shade, is the shade from trees? Is your deck subjected to a considerable amount of moisture from fog and/or rain?
- Are there signs of early decay (surface fungus), or is decay already present? If decay is present, what stage is it in? We can monitor the progression of the infection with our periodic inspections.
- How is the hardware holding up? Examples of deck hardware include the bolts that hold the deck guardrail system in place and the fasteners that hold the large steel brackets together, connecting the deck framing components. Since most decks are constructed with a large percentage of wood, decks naturally expand and contract. Since we know the wood is constantly moving, so can the hardware. Check hardware and fasteners periodically to ensure your deck’s structural integrity. Wooden deck repair costs can quickly climb if the deck’s structural integrity is compromised.
BRIDGE DRIVEWAYS:
- We check the overall condition of the bridge driveway, the foundation/piers, how the framing and mechanical connectors are holding up, checking for any signs of moisture infiltration, and the condition of the ramp surface.
- Checking debris buildup in trench drains.
- Inspecting the area in and around the adjacent Bridge Driveway.
These conditions can adversely affect your deck and bridge driveway and require consistent care and maintenance to avoid costly repairs.
After building and repairing decks and bridge driveways in the Bay Area for over 35 years, we’ve gained substantial experience in safe, sturdy deck and bridge driveway repairs. Because of that experience, very few people or companies know how to repair decks and bridge driveways as well as we do. That’s why we saw a need to provide a proactive maintenance service to assist property owners in protecting their deck and bridge driveway, one of the most valuable components of their home.
We know deck and bridge driveway repairs can be costly, so we are proud to offer our construction services to benefit our clients. We are proud that clients trust our company to provide this valuable service and help maintain the longevity of their deck and bridge driveway. This is just one part of how we build “Decks for Life.”
We service areas in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including Montclair, Piedmont, Berkeley, Orinda, Alamo, Lafayette, Oakland, and other areas. To learn more, visit our Contact page or call the office at 510-339-9100.
